By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The national leadership of thePeoples Democratic Party (PDP) has debunked report that it placed a N10,000 levy on each member to fund the party activities.

Reacting to a report published by a media platform, The Observer Times, under the misleading headline: “PDP Calls on Members to Contribute N10,000 Each in Bid to Fund Party Activities,” the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, described the report as “false as it is misleading, and does not reflect the substance of what was stated.

Comrade Ememobong declared that although the body of the report correctly quoted remarks made during the interview, the headline represents either clickbait or a subjective interpretation of the interview.

“Other credible media organisations reported the same interview accurately, without resorting to sensationalism.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the following is a verbatim excerpt of the response given to a question on how the PDP intends to fund its political activities in the wake of recent defections by some governors: ‘The strategy is simple: go back to the people. When the people are with you voluntarily, they fund the cause. In 1998, people made small contributions to fund the party, and that gave them a voice. 

‘We are returning to that voluntary model. For example, if 60 million Nigerians give N10,000 each, that’s a huge sum. We are already seeing this kind of mass support in states like Plateau and Akwa Ibom.’

“The statement above clearly affirms the PDP’s belief in voluntary contributions, irrespective of amount, as a legitimate and time-tested model of grassroots political funding. The reference to N10,000 was purely illustrative, intended to demonstrate the collective strength of voluntary support, and not a directive, levy, or mandatory contribution.

“Let it be stated unequivocally: there is no fixed amount, no compulsory payment, and no obligation imposed on any member of the PDP.

“We therefore urge our members and the public to discountenance the misleading headline and continue to support the party at all levels in ways they consider appropriate and convenient.”

The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has alleged that many of those involved in criminal activities in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, are indigenes of the area.

The governor said this during a stakeholders’ engagement with students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, government officials and other critical stakeholders.

According to him, investigations by security agencies showed that many of those involved in criminal activities around Ekpoma were indigenes.

“Most of the incidents of kidnapping in Ekpoma are local. When soldiers and other security agencies went into the forest at night, the people caught were natives from Ekpoma. So we need to look at who our enemy really is,” he said.

He said he was deeply pained by the violent turn the protest took, especially given his strong commitment to the revival of Ambrose Alli University.

Okpebholo, who condemned the destruction of shops and looting of properties during the protest, said he was highly in pain.

He said since the day he was sworn in, he assured that he was going to revive and reposition of AAU, adding that he has increased its subvention from N40 million to N500 million.

Okpebholo cautioned students against allowing themselves to be used by criminal elements, urging them to focus on their studies.

The governor assured the students of his administration’s commitment to dialogue, reform and the overall development of the university and the state.

The governor, who acknowledged the security challenges facing Ekpoma and other parts of the country, noted that insecurity is a collective problem that requires collective responsibility.

“The same way you are afraid of your life is the same way I am afraid of my life. Kidnappers do not know the status of anybody and so it’s a common problem we all have,” he said

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged stakeholders to promote peace and ensure credible Rivers House of Assembly by-elections scheduled for Feb. 21.

The appeal was made by the Rivers Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Yomere said the poll was vital for voters in Ahoada-East II and Khana II constituencies, who had remained without representation at the state level.

He said INEC had begun preparations, including deploying trained personnel and ensuring timely distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.

“The by-election will involve 112,950 registered voters across 14 registration areas and 242 polling units in the two local government areas.

“We have commenced all necessary internal preparations towards a successful bye-election,” he said.

Yomere urged political parties and candidates to uphold internal democracy and responsibility during primaries scheduled to hold by Jan. 23.

“Elections should be contests of ideas, not battles marked by intimidation, destruction or violence,” he said.

He commended security agencies for professionalism and assured them of INEC’s continued collaboration to ensure a secure election environment.

Yomere also encouraged political parties, civil society groups and the media to support voter education, peaceful participation and counter misinformation.

He disclosed that INEC commenced the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise on Jan. 5 across all registration centres in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers, Mr Olugbenga Adepoju, appealed to stakeholders to ensure peaceful by-elections, stressing that security remained everyone’s responsibility.

Represented by CSP James Njoku, Adepoju emphasised collaboration between security agencies and the public for a credible electoral process.

“Security agencies cannot do it alone without your contribution. We appreciate your efforts towards the safety and security of our state,” he said.

Adepoju warned against electoral violence, describing it as any act intended to intimidate, harm or abuse electoral stakeholders.

He urged stakeholders to educate relatives and party members on the dangers of electoral violence and its consequences.

Adepoju appealed to youth, religious, community and political leaders to encourage followers to shun violence and promote peace.

He assured that security agencies would work together to safeguard lives and property for the conduct of free and fair elections.

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr Nnanna Onyekere, praised INEC’s proactiveness, saying it boosted confidence in a credible election.

“We assure you there will be no violence. There will be peace across the state,” Onyekere said.

He commended INEC for moving voter registration to ward level, noting it would ease access for prospective voters.

Onyekere called on political parties to collaborate with INEC and expressed confidence that the by-elections would be peaceful and successful.